A Mapwalker Trilogy: Map of Shadows, Map of Plagues, Map of the Impossible

Mapwalker #1-3

by J.F. Penn

A place written out of history. A world off the edge of the map.
In this fantasy adventure trilogy, Sienna and the Mapwalker team must defend Earthside from the invasion of the Borderlanders and face their darkest challenge against the Shadow.

Map of Shadows

A map of skin etched in blood. A world under threat from the Borderlands.
A young woman who must risk the shadows to save her family.

When her Grandfather is murdered under mysterious circumstances, Sienna Farren inherits his map shop in the ancient city of Bath, England. She discovers that her family is bound up with the Ministry of Maps, a mysterious agency who maintain the borders between this world and the Uncharted.

With the help of Mila Wendell, a traveller on the canals, Sienna discovers her own magical ability and a terrifying place of blood that awaits in the world beyond.

But when she discovers a truth about her past and the Borderlands begin to push through the defenses, Sienna must join the team of Mapwalkers on their mission to find the Map of Shadows – whatever the cost.

In a place written out of history, a world off the edge of the map, Sienna must risk everything to find her father … and her true path as a Mapwalker.

Map of Plagues

A city threatened by an ancient plague.
A love across borders.
A desperate choice that could break their worlds apart forever.

When a fragment of a deadly map is recovered from a medieval plague pit in London, the Mapwalker team must cross over into the Borderlands once more.

In a race against time, they must find the remaining pieces of the map in a journey across long-lost cities before the Shadow Cartographers wield it against Earthside in a devastating attack.

Can Sienna resist the call of the Shadow as she struggles to save her home? Will Finn take a risk on love across borders or leave the Earthsiders to their fate?

Map of the Impossible

A journey through the realm of the dead.
A threat that will change the world.
A choice that might save everything—or end it all.

As natural disasters sweep Earthside, a mutant army rises in the Borderlands, driven by the dark force behind the Shadow Cartographers. Sienna and the Mapwalker team must use the Map of the Impossible to journey through the realm of the dead and face the nightmare at its heart.

But when one of their number is taken and the team begins to break apart, each Mapwalker must face their greatest challenge.

Can the Mapwalker team reach the Tower of the Winds before the Shadow claims Earthside?
Will Sienna choose Finn — or turn away from the Borderlands forever?

This ebook boxset contains three full-length portal fantasy adventure novels. The trilogy is the complete series.

Genres: Fantasy

680 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 22, 2021

About the author

I'm the award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers, crime, dark fantasy, horror, short stories, and travel memoir.

Reading order: https://jfpennbooks.com/pages/reading...

The fast-paced ARKANE thrillers weave together historical artifacts, global locations, a kick-ass protagonist and a hint of the supernatural. Described by readers as "Dan Brown meets Lara Croft."

The Brooke & Daniel Crime Thriller Series features British detective Jamie Brooke alongside museum researcher Blake Daniel, as they solve dark crimes around London.

The Mapwalker fantasy adventure trilogy is set between Bath, England and the Borderlands in a split world fantasy where Sienna and the Mapwalker team travel through maps to adventure ...

A Thousand Fiendish Angels is a collection of 3 short stories bound together by a book of human skin. Inspired by Dante's Inferno.

You can buy books directly from me https://jfpennbooks.com/

I have a blog and podcast at http://www.BooksAndTravel.page

I'm passionate about writing and I love reading. My favorite authors include James Rollins, Jonathan Maberry, John Connolly, Daniel Silva, and I also read a lot of travel books.

Reviews

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely fantastic collection of stories. Fantasy all the way to the end. Read each book individually and reread them again now.

[Toni Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Includes: Map of Shadows, Map of Plagues, Map of the Impossible

Three exciting and captivating stories I had the pleasure to read and review some time ago and when I was asked to share this offer of a boxset with you I couldn’t say no to Ms. Penn. This trilogy will please those who love good fantasy adventures where Sienna and the Mapwalker team defend Earthside from the invasion of the Borderlanders.

Each book has its own story and the perfect mix of action, suspense and paranormal manifestations. We find a wonderful cast of characters playing to a tee their roles....If you love this type of stories Ms. Penn excels in giving her readers all the excitement one could wish for.

Boxset are great, with them you do not have to wait for the sequel and you can read your heart out....

Enjoy the stories they are great.

[Kaecey McCormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightfully dark, fast-paced fantasy thrillers!

I’ve read this J.F. Penn's nonfiction and most of her other fiction (Arkane series, Brooke & Daniel), but I had not read The Mapwalker Trilogy. As a lifelong lover of maps and books and magic and different cultures, the Mapwalker world pulled my attention. I’m glad I waited and read all three as a box set since the stories are fast paced, and I enjoyed moving through all three quickly instead of having to wait. I believe all together they’re just over 500 pages - delightful weekend reading!


Concept

I find the concept of man made borders fascinating. The land may stay the same, but with a handshake and a pen, the lives of the people who live on it can change dramatically when they’re closed, moved, opened, and so on. These books take this concept one step further in that blood magic can erase parts of the world from known existence by drawing them off the maps of Earth and pushing them into an area (the Borderlands) inaccessible and unknown to all but the Mapwalkers (people who can travel through maps or have special map-related abilities). This group, headquartered in Bath, England, is responsible for maintaining the border and passing down the maps to future generations. There are dark forces at play (those of the Shadow) trying to tip the balance, and the team must work to restore it and save the world.


Characters

I love the concept of teams of Mapwalkers who go on different adventures, and the grouping allows us to get to know multiple characters over the course of the books. The books are action based and plot driven, so we don’t get to know the characters on a deep level and must accept certain elements or decisions without as much explanation or exploration as I would have loved to see - especially as there were so many tempting elements to dive into (romance, eugenics, friendships and love, power struggles, history and how who tells it shapes our beliefs, death, parent/child relationships, self-sacrifice). Since the books are short and quick, we get a splash of each rather than a deep dive, which is fun in its own way. And each character is unique and I never struggled to know from whose perspective different parts of the story came (all close 3rd person). Each had their own talents and personal struggles, and I appreciate that not all characters get a traditional happy ending.


Worldbuilding

The fast pace also means we move through the world of the Mapwalkers on the Earthside and the Borderlands very quickly. I’m impressed with the author’s ability to imagine this alternate world, and I would have loved to learn even more. Of course, the fast pace means we get to see many areas of the world, which is great, and I enjoy that food for my imagination. Penn came up with many interesting elements - portals that connect different areas of each world, mutated creatures that began Earthside and changed in the Borderlands, religious beliefs, elements of good and evil, libraries and castles, underwater worlds, unique powers of magic, whole cultures … Definitely lots to enjoy in this box set for those who like fantasy worlds!


Final thoughts

Overall I enjoyed the series as an original and interesting escapist read and recommend it for readers looking for a unique, action filled, fast-paced fantasy-thriller with an emphasis on action. And the book had an added effect: I wasn’t expecting to develop a minor obsession with Bath, England. I’ve been to the UK several times, but never to Bath, and after reading the books I found myself looking at pictures online and planning to take a trip! And I appreciate the author notes at the end of each book in which Penn shares her inspiration, some of her research, and gives us a glimpse into her thought processes.

[Michael Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased a copy of each of the books, so I did not purchase a copy of the trilogy. This review is a compilation of the reviews I posted for the individual books in the series. The boxset has the advantage of reading the books in the order written, to give the reader the maximum understanding of the story.

Map of Shadows: When her grandfather dies under strange circumstances. Sienna Farren inherits his map shop in Bath, England. She quickly learns that she is a magic Blood Mapwalker and that her family is involved with the Ministry of Maps, a secret society who maintain the border between our world and the uncharted shadow earth. The Borderlands people are attacking the border defenses, so she and her new friend Mila Wendell must join a team to venture into the shadow world and find the Map of Shadows, to keep the border intact.

Map of Plagues: This book begins with a plot by Borderlanders to infect the huge numbers of homeless refugees in their midst with a medieval plague and release them Earthside, killing off everyone else, so they could take back the world. They needed to find the magic Map of Plagues, so they broke into an ancient plague burial site wherein a knight’s coffin was opened to find it. However, the map had been torn into quarters for safekeeping, so only one piece was found. The breach was noted by the Ministry of Maps, who then send fellow Mapwalkers Sienna (blood), Mila (water) and Perry (fire) on a mission to find the other pieces of the map to prevent the shadow forces from getting them. The group meet up with Finn, the estranged and rebel son of the criminal Overlord, and Jari, a warrior with a tenuous connection to Finn. Unbeknownst to the group, Finn must get the map pieces to save the life of his niece, and the Overlord has ordered Jari to get the pieces, regardless. The team must make three different sorties in the shadow world to locate the map pieces, each with its own set of struggles. Each time the Mapwalkers use their magic, they lose a portion of their power, which void is filled by the shadow force and they experience an increasing pull to stay in the shadow world.

Map of the Impossible: This book begins with increasingly violent natural disasters on Earthside as a result of closing the border. As it turned out, the border needed to be open enough to act as a pressure relief for both sides to make necessary crossings, so the Mapwalkers had to use the Map of the Impossible to find a way through the realm of the dead in order to deal with the Shadow Cartographers. Due to their frequent use of their magic, the Shadow had drained enough magic to increase its pull on their spirits. If the balance tipped too far, they would not be able to return Earthside and could be turned into Shadow Cartographers. Sienna longed to see Finn, and Mila desired to swim again with Ekon in their watery forms. Perry had vowed to kill his father, who had turned into a powerful and evil Shadow Cartographer. For this journey, they were joined by Zoe, whose magic allowed her to weave and strengthen power emanations of good people to protect against evil forces.

The series is fast-paced with strong characters, vivid descriptions and intense interpersonal dynamics that pulled me in and kept me engrossed, to the point of losing sleep. Ms. Penn artfully brought the series to a bittersweet finale which closed the major loops, but also left a few situations that could spin-off into other adventures. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire series and highly recommend it. I look forward to reading more books by this great author.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read all of these books as an advanced reader. My reviews were voluntary.

Map of Shadows

I really liked the world-building of this book. I can't wait to read more of this series and see what happens in the Borderlands with the Mapwalkers of both worlds.

Sienna has been left a map shop in her grandfather's will. She had not really known the man, but a visit to the city of Bath was just what she needed. She finds herself drawn into a society of Mapwalkers whose job is to protect this reality from the creatures of the Borderland. The story is just beginning and there are many more adventures to be had as the group struggles to keep the borders closed and help the mistreated on the other side. There is even the glimmer of a romance in the making.

Map of Plagues

Wow. This one gave me the shivers more than once. We join Sienna in another adventure that takes her and her friends Mila and Perry back to the Borderlands to find the remaining pieces of a map that could bring about the end of the Earthlands if it falls into the wrong hands. The group will be joined by Finn and a warrior woman, Jari.

As Sienna and the others travel to the different locations where the map pieces are hidden, they will face danger and near-death experiences. Each will use their magic and the resources of the group to stay alive and on-track to complete their mission. Unfortunately, not everyone's mission is the same.
Before they are done old enemies, ex-friends and betrayal will change everything.

Map of the Impossible

Sienna, Mila, and Perry have a new teammate, Zoe, who is a weaver. The original team is still suffering in various ways from their last trip to the Borderlands and now must find a way back through the very border that they closed to stop the plague from crossing over to Earthside. The tale is very exciting and there is a happy/sad ending, depending on who you are. (I would advise not reading it before bedtime if you don't want nightmares about dead birds coming back to life and such.) Though many things are finished at the end, there is still more that could become a future series.

[David Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is based on my previously submitted reviews of the separate Mapwalker books. This box set will be a nonstop read that captivates the reader and immerses them in the world of Mapwalkers. If you are a fan of J.F. Penn's books, the Mapwalker series is well worth the time. If you enjoy fantasy/action then maybe you should give this series a try, I'm betting you will find it addicting.

Map of Shadows is an excellent synthesis of fantasy, action, intrigue, and a little romance. I was initially intrigued about a book based on maps and cartographers; however, I wasn't ready in the least for the direction that Joanna took in telling this story. Map of Shadows is not only a very good story and introduction the Sierra and the team but an excellent introduction to her storytelling if you are new to J. F.Penn's books

Map of Plagues chronicles the further journeys of Sienna, Mila, and Perry into the Borderlands in search of the parts of a map long ago separated for safety. This episode in the Mapwalker series is action packed and filled with different layers of intrigue. Joanna Penn has outdone herself this time by building a world that takes hold of its reader and weaves a spell that keeps you reading until that final word of the final sentence.

Map of the Impossible brings J.F. Penn’s Mapwalkers trilogy to a close. This is one of those series that gets the reader very invested in the story and the characters, that being said I’m feeling a sense of loss knowing that this was the end of the series. There are stories where you know how you want the story to end and how you want your favorite characters to fare in the end. Well, sadly Map of the Impossible didn’t end the way I wanted, and my favorite character didn’t fare the way I wished, but then again, the story was awesome and ended in a way that made it the best possible story to conclude the series.

[Pete · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to receive advance copies of these three books when they were first published, and you can find my reviews of them all on the Amazon product pages for the individual books.
This trilogy is probably best described as dark fantasy and concerns a magical organisation which uses maps to travel between this world and the borderlands, a much more magical and dangerous world, but whose inhabitants want to break through and rule our world.
There are great characters including Sienna who is the main protagonist, and who the series revolves around until its dramatic and unexpected climax. There are also many other well crafted inhabitants of the 'Mapwalker' world, both good and bad, and not all of them are what they at first seem.
There is also a lot of action, and the author's imagination has created all sorts of battles and obstacles for the Mapwalkers to overcome and these are genuinely exciting reading.
This boxset is a great way to read the entire series without waiting between volumes and means that the entire arc of stories can be read in one go. If you love dark fantasy then this boxset is highly recommended, even if you are not an aficionado of this genre but enjoy exciting adventure books (like me), then this still makes a great read.
I love the fact that this series was inspired by a visit to a bookshop by the author when she moved to a new town, and she saw several old maps and some time later the first book appeared.

[Jeffrey Aitken · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great trilogy of action packed stories. I can thoroughly recommend these books.

Map Of Shadows (Mapwalkers Book 1)

Another fast-paced novel from JF Penn, full of blood, gore and maps on human skin. The pace is so rapid that there are a great number of scenes in the attempt to save the world from those on the other side.

I know of the door in Bath Abbey, always wondered what it was.

Map Of Plagues (Mapwalkers Book 2)

The second book in the Mapwalkers series is even better than the first. At the usual JF Penn rapid pace another end of the world scenario unfolds and our heroes cross over to search for the solution.

On the other side they whisk us from location to location, incident to incident in a breathtaking route back home with us safe again.

Map of the Impossible (Mapwalkers Book 3)

I looked forward to the third in the series, and I was not disappointed. In her usual action packed, fast pace, the world is experiencing many catastrophic events. Naturally the end of the world, instigated by the evil individuals in charge of the borderland.

Adventures teeter on disaster but ultimately overcome this threat, but the world needs yet more to balance the future. With this twist at the end, I hope the saga continues in the hunt for a fairytale ending for all.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Map of Shadows (Mapwalker, #1), my twelfth read from author J.F. Penn, although the first eleven were all Arkane books. Captivating, with well-developed characters coupled with an outstanding suspense story-line with its intricately woven twists and turns.
Map of Plagues (Mapwalkers #2), my thirteenth read from author J.F. Penn. Captivating, with well-developed characters coupled with an outstanding story-line with its intricately woven twists and turns, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
Map of the Impossible (Mapwalkers #3), my fourteenth read from author J.F. Penn. The epic conclusion to the Mapwalker Trilogy. Captivating, with well-developed characters coupled with an outstanding story-line with its intricately woven twists and turns. Penn, as always, does a good job with her character development. “I received a free Chirp audio copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I'll be reading more by this author. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping and imaginative trilogy

I loved this departure for Joanna's very successful ARKANE series. It took me by surprise from the very beginning and the shocks and twists and turns just kept on coming.
Maps and a shadowy world bordering on our own and a young woman with a destiny that she has to follow, wherever it takes her. Joanna Penn does not take the easy way out where her characters are concerned and this trilogy is no exception. I never knew where the path was going to lead them and the ending was so unexpected, but it was a very fitting end to the series and I loves that once again, Joanna managed to surprise me. Definitely a trilogy to be devoured.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, I am a huge J.F. Penn fan. I have really, really enjoyed reading many of her books. I enjoyed this trilogy as well, but it's probably my least favorite of her works that I've read.

Penn's thrillers are gritty and engaging. I have read several and am always eager to read more. I'm not sure if it's the level of fantasy or something else with this trilogy, but it just wasn't the same for me.

That said, Penn's writing is still outstanding and she can spin a great story. I look forward to continuing through her books that I haven't read, and I hope she keeps them coming!

[Jean]

I enjoyed reading once again the wonderful novels Map of Shadows, Map of Plagues and Map of the Impossible by J.F. Penn as a pen friend and a romance novelist. They are five star novels for readers and writers who love the superstar's fiction.

Keep on shining, Wonderful Joanna, your readers and fellow authors are eager to read more.
God bless your wonderful work every day!!!

Jean Baptiste Rufatabahizi, a five star romance novelist.

[Sharon Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I’m a fan of this author, this series is her very best.

Book 1 grabbed me from the start. The descriptions are so real, it felt like I was in Bath, browsing the map shop.

The only complaint I had was having to wait for book 2, and then book 3. Problem solved as you can now buy them as a boxed set to binge read. And, you certainly will.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great series with interesting characters and plots. I've always enjoyed books written about other dimensions and this one is very enjoyable and intriguing. This is a perfect combination of action, magic and suspense with star crossed lovers thrown in just to keep it interesting. Even though it's a trilogy, you'll read it quickly since it is so hard to put down.

[Normand Girard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I read the books individually, I found it very hard to put them down and highly recommend the boxset, which will make it much easier to follow the thread of the story. I found this fantastic story a great escape during this pandemic period, helping me escape the drudgery of our lockdown, even if for a short period of time. You will not regret your purchase.

[Michael Mardel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mapwalker trilogy by JF Penn. I read all 3 over the last year and each was different but with the same main characters, tracking down religious artifacts all over the world, even to the detriment of their lives. Others want to beat them and each map has its secrets to be discovered. Seat of the pants stories with Joanna's vivid imagination and ability to put words on paper to thrill the reader.

[Kevin]

Got to about chapter seven before giving this series the nod to the DNF pile. I just couldn't get into the story at all. I am not sure if it was the narrator or the author just not being able to keep me interested. I can't blame the narrator if the material is boring. This is too long of a series to try and muddle through.

[JoAnna Lamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read all three of this trilogy by J F Penn and they are all good reads. I love the premise, the characters and the world building. The author takes you on a journey and you will not be disappointed.

[Paul Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The trilogy was better than I expected. This has not been my kind of genre but JF Penn made me a believer. I started with the first book and was excited every time a new one came out. Love these books.

[Debbie Mcnally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to have gotten a ARC copy of these books as they were released. I am volunteering to leave this review. Awesome series plenty of twist and turns.

[Naman Jaloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc Review

I read all three books of boxset - "Map of Shadows", "Map of Plagues", and "Map of Impossible" and found stories intriguing. The author JF Penn books not only entertains but also takes you to travel the world through her books. Her stories keep you turning pages up to last; there is always suspense and cliffhangers about what will happen next in the plot. Also, her writing enriched with facts, details, history, and Map Walker Trilogy is a good example of it, and book covers of all three books are so riveting.